Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Isaiah 2:6-8 For you have rejected your people, the house of Jacob, because they are full of things from the east and of fortune-tellers like the Philistines, and they strike hands with the children of foreigners. Their land is filled with silver and gold,and there is no end to their treasures; their land is filled with horses, and there is no end to their chariots. Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands,to what their own fingers have made.

Observation:

The urgency of v. 5 is explained. full … filled … no end. Rather than the world coming to Zion to learn God’s ways (vv. 2–4), the people of God in Isaiah’s day are influenced by the ways of the world—to the point of saturation.

Application:

This verse screams to me "what are you full of?" In our text, God's people instead of being "full of" Jehovah God, and His love, influence, and character, they were "full of things from the east". In other words, mysticism, sorcery, serving, believing, loving, and depending upon other gods besides the One True God, the One who had delivered them from the Red Sea, fed them manna for forty years. Miraculously fed them meat, and provided for them, fought for them, kept their shoes from wearing out in the midst of a forty year walk through the wilderness. YET...they were not "full of" Him, but of other gods.

"Wow" is my first response until I ask myself, "What am I full of?" And I have to admit, I complain more than I should. Instead of being full of "thanksgiving" I find myself full of bellyaching. Instead of being full of Gods grace and love, I find myself offended and angry so easily. Instead of being full of God's peace, I too often, and too easily slip into turmoil and fear when a storm arises. Instead of being full of God's grace (undeserving favor) I am too slow at times to over the same grace to those who have hurt me. Instead of being full of God's promises, I find myself staring blankly into the eyes of the problem and become emotionally paralyzed. Instead of being full of God's Spirit, I find myself at times enjoying following my fleshly tendencies instead.

So I guess if I am going to give a "wow" to the Children of Israel for not being as "full of God" as I believe they should be, then maybe I owe myself a "wow" as well.

Today, I will be more aware of what I am "full of" with the help of God's Holy Spirit!

Prayer:

"Lord, please forgive me for the times I have allowed myself to become more "full of" anger, frustration, agitation, graceless words, peace deprived storms than I am "full of" Your Spirit. Thank You for speaking this word into my life today. I do not want to allow the world, culture and habits around me to influence me. I want to be salt and light for You today. That comes from being FULL OF YOU! That is my choice for today. In Jesus' name, amen!"